Unconsolable Contemporary: Observing Gerhard Richter - of Rabinow's

Our review of Unconsolable Contemporary finds it a thoughtful, interdisciplinary study best suited to readers interested in art theory and anthropological approaches to modernity. Paul Rabinow frames the book as a probe into what he calls the contemporary, using the career and exhibitions of Gerhard Richter as a focal point; the single biggest reason to buy is Rabinow's inventive methodology of anthropological assemblage, which connects art history, cultural criticism, and social theory to show how the modern becomes historical.

Key Features

• Anthropological assemblage: Rabinow offers a clear methodological proposal that helps readers trace how diverse disciplinary perspectives combine to study the contemporary.
• Focused case study: The book centers on Gerhard Richter's work and persona, providing concrete examples that ground theoretical claims.
• Interdisciplinary reach: Drawing on art historians and cultural critics gives readers a richer, comparative context for Richter's place in the afterlife of the modern.
• Close reading of exhibits: Rabinow's analysis of Richter's Birkenau exhibit illuminates how artistic practice engages historical memory and criticism.
• Philosophic anthropology: The author advances a sustained inquiry into what it means to study the contemporary from an anthropological perspective.

Who It's For

Scholars, advanced students, and readers with a background in art history, cultural theory, or anthropology will gain the most from this title; readers seeking conceptual depth will appreciate the book's synthesis of thinkers and examples. The reviewer's tone is academic rather than introductory, so those already familiar with debates about modernity and the role of the artist will find the argument most rewarding.

Casual readers or those looking for a richly illustrated coffee-table book about Gerhard Richter should look elsewhere; this is not a survey of images or a beginner's primer but a targeted, critical essay collection that presumes some disciplinary literacy.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The methodological focus on anthropological assemblage gives readers a new tool for thinking about contemporary art.
• The concentrated attention to Richter, including his Birkenau exhibit, supplies concrete material for theoretical claims.
• Interdisciplinary references broaden the book's relevance across art history and social theory.

Cons

• The book's academic style and depth may be dense for general-interest readers.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Unconsolable Contemporary is a compact, intellectually rigorous study that rewards readers who want a theoretical lens on contemporary art. Paul Rabinow's use of anthropological assemblage and his close reading of Richter make this a valuable pick for scholars and advanced students; it is good value for anyone seeking sustained, cross-disciplinary analysis rather than a visual survey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book focus on Gerhard Richter's biography?
The book centers on Richter's work and persona to illuminate theory but is not a full biographical account.

Is the Birkenau exhibit discussed in depth?
Yes; Rabinow opens with analyses of Richter's Birkenau exhibit to anchor his broader arguments about history and memory.

Who will benefit most from reading this book?
Scholars, advanced students, and readers with prior interest in art history, anthropology, or cultural theory will benefit most.